College Soccer: Europe and America

[Squeezed]

I just had a few qestions and ideas that I thought I'd get out there.

My frist question is: How big is college soccer in mst European countries and how much effect does it have on the development of players in Europe? Or do they rely more on the lower professional ranks to develop players? I know that playing in college here in America plays a major part in the development of players.

Just a thought, but, what about a tournament that matches top american and european colleges against each other? It could almost be like a showcase tournament, which allows frogein players, from each aspect, to further expose themselves, in a good way , to the rest of the world. And from an Americans stand point, I believe that it could do well in developing american soccer, by exposing young players to other styles of soccer.
_________________
"Thats the bat that hit the jack that lives in the house that jack built."

[shutout]

[BIRDSonBAT]

European colleges and universities don't compete in athletics on the same scale that American colleges and universities. There are some universities that might have something informal, like an equivalent to an intramural team. Professional teams get their players either from lower division professional clubs, or from their own youth programs. Basically, players who have a realistic shot at playing professionally have either been signed for a youth club or started attending a sports academy by the time they are in their early teens. Some clubs are famous for how reliant they are on their youth program, such as Ajax. But all clubs have them.

As for your idea of pittin college teams from the US vs. those from Europe, the teams from the US would likely win, because their players are there specifically to play soccer,and have aspirations of playing professionally, whereas the European college students are students first, who enjoy playing soccer in their free time, but certainly aren't considered pro, or even semi-pro material.

A lot of colleges do send their teams to Europe, either in preseason or in the offseason, for training tours. When I played collegiate soccer, we went to Germany on spring break. We were there for a week, and we played four games against lower level professional and semi-professional squads, in addition to watching a few professional games as well.

But again, the concept of "college soccer" doesn't really exist in Europe.
_________________
Mmmmm... I look good. I mean really good. Hey everyone... come and see how good I look!

[Squeezed]

That's what I figured. I have a friend who lived in Germany, and that's what he said. I was just curious if it was like that across the board in europe. Thanks.
_________________
"Thats the bat that hit the jack that lives in the house that jack built."